It became the band’s most commercially successful album in the Philippines.[1] To date,Cutterpillow has sold over 400,000 units in the country,becoming the third biggest-selling album in OPM history and the biggest for any Philippine band or group.[2] The album features hit singles such as “Overdrive”,"Torpedo",“Huwag Mo Nang Itanong”,and “Ang Huling El Bimbo”.
Recording
The band returned to the studio to record songs for Cutterpillow,bringing back Robin Rivera as producer after working with him on their previous album Circus. “We’re doing a lot of experimentation this time,”said drummer Raimund Marasigan. “Sonically,it’s gonna be a lot more diverse than the previous albums.”Vocalist Ely Buendia added:“We have more freedom na maglagay ng mga songs na type namin (to add songs that we like)."[3]
Music and lyrics
The album's opening track “Superproxy”is a collaboration with Philippine rapper Francis M.,who would later record another version with Buendia titled “Superproxy 2K6”for the first Eraserheads tribute album Ultraelectromagneticjam!:The Music of the Eraserheads in 2005. The band performed the song during their reunion concert in 2022 with the rapper as a hologram,joined by his sons Elmo and Arkin and Buendia's son Eon.[4] "Superproxy" was also covered by Razorback and Gloc-9 for The Reunion:An Eraserheads Tribute Album (2012) and of Mercury,Sofia Ines and Alex Bruce in 2022.[5]
“Back2Me”“moves on a punkish vibe,”writes David Gonzales in his retrospective review for Allmusic,with “a catchy,snappy melody reminiscent of Green Day”. He adds that “Waiting for the Bus”is “enchanting”,highlighted by a “rapturous chorus”.[6]
“Overdrive”features an “ulcer-aggravating food recital”for its outro. It was parodied by Philippine punk band The End in the song “Drayb My BM”,[7] and later covered by Barbie Almalbis for Ultraelectromagneticjam! and Vin Dancel for The Reunion. “Torpedo”depicts the agony of being “torpe”(local slang for a person unable to express romantic feelings toward someone) and quotes the Pink Floyd song “Brain Damage”[7] while having disco elements.[8] It was later covered by Isha for Ultraelectromagneticjam! and Gloc-9 (with JP of Kiko Machine) for his album Diploma (2007).
“Poorman's Grave”is described as “dark,somber,and morbid”set to an “uppity beat”,and was one of the first songs written by the band before the Pop-U! demo tape.[3] Buendia regarded it as a song he is proud of writing:"It was one of the few songs that I wrote that...came out from a real desire to express something that I felt at that time—which was,to put it bluntly,father issues,and not having the freedom of doing what you want at that age."[9] Final track “Ang Huling El Bimbo”was described as a bittersweet “mini-epic”inspired by the Beatles,referencing the actress Paraluman and the tango standard "El Bimbo".[6][7]
Packaging
The cover art of Cutterpillow features a jellyfish on a blue background,while the back cover features icons made for each track designed by Joey Navera for Cowpunk! Designs.[10]
Promotion and release
On December 8,1995,the band launched Cutterpillow through a free open-air concert at the UP Sunken Gardens in Quezon City.[11] Before the concert,they held a press conference where numerous reporters walked out due to the band refusing to perform any songs and insisting on playing excerpts from the new album.[12]
The band premiered the music video for "Ang Huling El Bimbo",directed by Auraeus Solito,in February 1996.[13] They later embarked on a two-month nationwide tour to promote the album.[14]
Reception
Commercial
The album sold more than 20,000 units on the first day of its release,which doubled the next day. After a week,it earned double platinum with sales more than 80,000 copies,the highest in the band's career.[15]
The album was certified quadruple platinum in 1996,having shipped more than 175,000 copies in just under a month after its release,becoming the fastest selling album in 1990s. By 2012 it was accredited eleven times platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).[1][2]
The album received positive reviews from music critics,most of them pointing out its mature,cohesive sound.[7] In his retrospective review,David Gonzales of Allmusic gave the album four and a half out of five stars,noticing the more substantive sound with only a touch of "kiddie pop" compared to Circus,which he regarded as "lightweight and superficial".[6]
Live performances
The band performed the album in full during their reunion concert in 2022 for the first set,saving "Ang Huling El Bimbo" as the closing song.[17] Marasigan had previously hinted at an "easter egg" in the concert setlist in an interview about their concert rehearsals.[18]
Reissues
In 2008,BMG reissued Eraserheads’s back catalogue,including Cutterpillow.[19] After the band's reunion concert in 2022,it was re-released on streaming services to include 360-degree spatial sound.[20]
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